Friday, May 15

During the past five months, living the way we've been living, I pretty much have one or both of the kids awake and with me from 6:30 in the morning to 10:30 at night. This is a long time to go without having your own thoughts or body to yourself. (That sentence should be in all caps) Not that those hours aren't filled with the most entertaining moments, and the biggest laughs and delights of my life. But ... you know what I'm saying. The 4:30-6:30 stretch of the day can be, for whatever reason, the most patience testing portion. It's the time when I'm most likely to hear myself saying things like, "you want to watch a show and eat dinner on the couch? SOUNDS GREAT." And, "I don't know honey! I don't know. Let's pick a different word than WHY, for just a minute."
A few months into this, I decided that I HAD to take some time. If for no other reason, than to feel like a nicer person for my children. Do something emotionally and physically healthy, and make myself a priority for just an hour. If not every day, then at least three times a week. That was my goal. At first that turned into workouts that began after 10:30 at night when I had some alone time, but that didn't last long, because who was I trying to kid. Since leaving the bed before Isla wakes up in the morning wasn't an option (sensitive sleeper), it turned into working out with the kids or not doing it at all.
I should preface all this by saying that I am by no means an expert on health and fitness by any stretch of the imagination (that's my Mom's department), but I do follow a lot of different moms on instagram that demo the different workouts they do with their kids jumping and toddling around them, so I figured, why not me. Why not us. Every morning that I can, I write down a set of exercises, how many reps, how many sets, strap my children on, plug in my headphones, and disappear into the quiet and serenity of my hardcore rap music. (Kidding. Sort of.)
So! Today, I thought I'd demo a few of my favorite at-home, with-kids exercises here, just in case any of you are in the same boat as I am, and/or, just the idea of loading the kids up in the car and driving to the gym sounds like more trouble than it's worth, and/or you don't own dumbbells, but you have children.

Russian twists// (suggestion: 4 sets of 15 reps) This one is particularly more challenging with a baby, since you have to maintain control, instead of just tossing your arms or a weight around.

Plank up-downs// (suggestion: 4 sets of 10 reps) Move from your elbows, to a push-up plank, and then back down to your elbows. Bonus if your child wants a ride!

Floor bridges// (suggestion: 4 sets of 15 reps) This one is a favorite of Isla's. P.S. The farther out your feet are, the more it works your hamstrings.

Sit up and kiss// (suggestion: 4 sets of 15 reps) Also a favorite of whoever's turn it is to sit on my lap.

Reverse lunge// (suggestion: 5 sets of 15 reps) You can combine this exercise with the next exercise, just to switch up your movement if you get bored easily. There are also an infinite number of squat based exercises you can do holding your children like this.

Reverse side lunge// (suggestion: 5 sets of 15 reps)

Chair step-ups// (suggestion: 5 sets of 15 reps) I don't know why I decided to demo on a chair with a cushion? Obviously, don't do this. I'm normally working on a hard, flat surface in the living room.

One thing that I'm always surprised with (because I've never been very consistent with working out) is how happy I feel when I'm done. Alive and sweaty, and filled with what must be, a million friendly endorphins. I feel better about myself, I make better decisions with what I put in my body after I'm done, and I sleep better at night. And you're probably over there like, DUH. But this, sadly, has been a revelation for me. Making yourself a priority! Whoda thunk.

The PROBLEM however, with making sure a workout happens in the morning, is that after I'm done, and breakfast has been made and babies have been properly napped, the next item of business on the day's agenda is quickly approaching. Most of the time I pretty much have less than 5 minutes to throw myself together.
And don't judge me OK, but I love taking my showers late at night after the kids go to bed, when the house is dark and quiet and I don't have to worry about blow drying my hair after I get out. So that's my thing. After a workout? I just need to spruce up a little. Wipe down, and go. For my regular, day to day look, especially after a workout, I don't even like to put on mascara. Just get that dewy, fresh looking skin, and call it a day. After stalking the beauty section at Target, (where else do I ever go?) I found a dream trio of products that will give me exactly that, in less than five minutes. Probably less than three if we actually timed it. Less than three, in your car, applied in the rear-view mirror even.

Next up! Pixi H20 skintint. This stuff is dreammmmmy. It's a tinted gel, so it goes on super light and dewy, but settles into your skin and evens everything out without making you look shiny.

And finally, this baby. NYX wonder stick. (I use the universal shade) This is your new best friend, and as much of a wonder stick as it claims to be. It will make you GLOW. I apply the highlighter end above my cheekbones, down the center of my nose, a little above my brow bone and in the center of my forehead.

After that, I take the bronzer end and apply one line down each cheek hollow, and one across the top of my forehead. Then just blend the crap out of it.

And done! My favorite no make-up, make-up look. We'll just pretend I have the ability to look this fresh after working out. Totally.

This post is brought to you by Target Style. Shop the new Beauty collection in stores and online.

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comments:

It's so inspiring that you manage to fin in workouts, even with your children! You're setting such a great example for them, and it looks like you're all having so much fun (although though moves look *tough*). Great post-workout makeup tips too, thanks! xxx

I think its great that you incorporate your kids in to your workout routine! I've been working out with and around my daughter for the last few months and she loves it! I think it sets a great example of how to take care of yourself for the little ones. Keep up the good work!

I'll be honest, I'm not usually a big fan on sponsored posts. But, this one was actually awesome. Thank you for sharing what you use to look fresh and put together! I'll probably be in target later today trying to find that exact makeup. Thanks for the heads up! Also, you look fabulous! Good work!

Thanks so much for this post!!! I just did a few of these exercises with my nearly 4 month old and his laughs were way more encouraging than a trainer yelling at the gym! (like I go to the gym... har har). You look great!! And glad you feel good too :)

I only have one kid right now, but I enjoy working out with her so that she sees me taking time for myself and doing something healthy. When the weather is nice for 20 weeks of the year (thanks midwest winters...) we go for long runs. She gets to look around, we "chat" while she looks around, and she always has a perma grin on her face. During winters, we do go to the gym, so my daughter can get a bit of social interaction at the gym daycare, and I can get a bit of me time. When I have two though, and juggling naps, etc, I'll definitely be doing this.

I love this! All your posts are amazing. If I lived closer I'd pay you to tutor me in writing how you write. It's always so eloquent but down to earth. Love it. And don't worry, you look GORG with makeup or none whatsoever.

I just realized in these pictures that you look a lot like a young Gillian Anderson (who is beautiful, of course, so this is for sure a compliment, in case anyone was unsure) (also, why would you be unsure). Anyway, I need to get on the workout train, so I appreciate seeing ways I can incorporate my toddler, and I hear you on making-up in the car -- every morning. Visor mirror on the way to preschool. We do what we must.

Wonderful blog post. I can't tell you how accurate and relatable this post was to me. With a 1 year old & 3 year old there is little time for myself. Working out is a daily essential for me, but finding the actual time to do it can be challenging. Definetly going to try these out. Thank you for sharing =)

I have been looking for some kind of cream bronzer....this might be what I need! Is the skintint sheer like a tinted moisturizer or more like foundation? I'm looking for something pretty sheer because I'm very fair.

Really wonderful post. I am really impressed to read this post but I just share my own experience that, I use rowing machine for doing workout which is very good & it helps to burn calories, loose weight & it just do full body workout in very short time & we can use it on the house. So you guys can check this out http://www.rowingly.com/

Gosh Sydney, very little blogging for ages and then BANG! You hit it out of the (field? court? park? sorry, I'm from the UK and I just don't know which is the correct sports analogy to use here!!). Suffice to say, several posts in a row that are straight up amazing. Or I'd say amazeballs if I was under twenty (but I'm over thirty so, hey ho, I'm just embarrassing myself and feeling old)! xxx